Q: I just made your Chili, Lemon and Basil Shrimp with Israeli Couscous and it was delicious. However, I was unable to locate Israeli (pearl) couscous and used regular couscous. Do you have any suggestions on where I can find Israeli couscous?
Sent by Albert
Editor: Albert, this can be found in many grocery stores — but look in the Mediterranean or international foods aisle. You can also find it in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern groceries.
Readers, any other good tips for finding this kind of couscous?
Related: Chili, Lemon, and Basil Shrimp with Israeli Couscous
(Image: Faith Durand)
Elizabeth Apron fro...

Trader Joes!
I bought a five pound bag at Costco this summer.
I second the Trader Joe's suggestion. Their couscous is really good.
whole foods has it in the bulk area, where you just scoop out however much you need/want
In middle eastern groceries it may well be called 'Mograbiah' - its original Arabic name before Israelis assimilated it into their food culture.
You can also use the very small italian/greek pasta shapes such as orzo if you can't find giant couscous - I really like to mix regular and giant in the same salad for the different textures you get from it and sometimes use orzo if that's all I have in.
Supermarket brand "Marrakech Express" makes a canister of it - a co-worker brought it to work and added it to curry - so I know they make it and she said it's at Publix (south U.S.)
I've seen/bought it at pretty much every grocery store around. Its near rice and prepackaged rice sides like rice a roni.
World Market also carries it.
In Canada, you can get it at Bulk Barn for a decent price!
We get ours at the co-op in bulk for much less than we can get it for at the super market. You can even take your own bag or container sometimes. Saves us a bundle.
Wegmans if you are in the northeast!
I've found it in almost every grocery store I've ever been to, but I live in a suburb of DC. If you're not that lucky though, and can't find it in any stores, there's always Amazon. I just did a search and found at least a dozen options.
KatyBelle beat me to it.
Near East also sells it with it's other couscous. Make it without the flavor pack.
USA rice grower, Rice Selects has Israeli style couscous, as well as a variety of rice products available on their web store and Amazon. They have also have whole wheat, as well as regular. They offer Tricolor (sundried tomato, spinach, plain). The web site has a 'find a store near me' function: http://www.riceselect.com/couscous-orzo.aspx
Ossem (an Israeli company) also is exporting couscous and can be found in the International isle in many supermarkets in the "Jewish Section."
Near East is probably the most commonly found supermarket brand for couscous; they also have a online store: http://neareast.elsstore.com/ They call 'Israeli' style couscous, "Pearled." They also sell quite a number of couscous 'flavored blends' as well as whole wheat versions as well as rice mixes.
look in the bulk bins at your local grocery, or definitely at a grocery with a healthier aim (Sprouts, Sunflower, Harris Teeter, etc.). Remember, couscous is a pasta and should be treated as one so don't buy too much at a time and happy hunting!
Bob's Red Mill online - they even have whole wheat now
I second Bob's Red Mill!
I third for Bob's Red Mill. In fact, I have a bag of regular & a bag of whole wheat Israeli couscous in my pantry right now.
@Albert I located my Israeli couscous at Big Lots in Michigan.
Kalustyan's in nyc has a ridiculous variety of them and you can order from their website. They also have whole wheat israeli couscous. The largest producer of this in the world is Osem (think Israeli version of McCormick ). You'll probably have more luck searching where to buy Osem's israeli couscous bags.